Hedda McLendon was nominated for GSBA Impact Awards

Our very own Senior Vice President of Legacy, Hedda McLendon was nominated for GSBA Impact Awards Community Leader of the Year.

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Among her many responsibilities to ensure a lasting and positive FIFA World Cup legacy for our state and region, Hedda oversees Pride Match Day strategy in close partnership with the Pride+Match Impact Council. This team has been working for over a year to ensure that the tournament’s global visibility translates into measurable economic opportunity, and elevation of the LGBTQ+ community in Washington State. By intentionally uplifting LGBTQ+-owned businesses, artists, nonprofits, and cultural leaders, Pride Match Day becomes both a celebration and a catalyst — ensuring communities that have historically faced marginalization share meaningfully in the tournament’s unprecedented visitor surge.

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Through targeted activations, community-giving initiatives, cinematic storytelling, and visible Pride- centered fan experiences, Seattle will model what inclusive hosting looks like on a global stage — where sport, dignity, belonging, and economic empowerment intersect.

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“Pride Match Day is more than a moment,” said McClendon. “It is a measurable legacy investment designed to broaden the benefit of the world’s game for all. I’m proud to be nominated for the GSBA Impact Award, but even more proud of the impact we are making through our organizing and community partnerships.”

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Learn More about 2026 GSBA Impact Awards

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